The workshop Gestalt: Sexuality in the therapeutic office – an introduction to the work is designed for people working psychotherapeutically in different modalities, especially for those who feel insecure in the area of sexuality. The workshop is open to those in psychotherapeutic training as well as psychotherapists with experience.
Students of the Lodz Gestalt School are not welcome – an “introduction to work” program is included in the class schedule!
Gestalt workshop: Sexuality in the therapist’s office – an introduction to the work:
During the workshop, we will focus on working on our own sexuality, because knowing ourselves and understanding this area in ourselves allows us to better understand the relationship we form with the person receiving therapy. An important part of this workshop is to identify one’s own beliefs and introjects regarding one’s own sexuality, because our ability to provide therapeutic help in the area of sexuality is dependent on being able to look critically at one’s own sexuality, in terms of the presence of stereotypes, prejudices and introjects. One of the main reasons for allowing people who receive psychotherapy to open up the area of sexuality in the psychotherapy process is the openness of the person who conducts psychotherapy. If shame, embarrassment or rigid norms regarding sexuality are present on the part of the psychotherapist(s) in the area of sexuality, this area will not be addressed by the person receiving psychotherapy. Sexuality is often an issue that is marginalized and overlooked in psychotherapeutic training, thus perpetuating socio-cultural influences on what we perceive as the norm in sexuality. The workshop will allow those attending to look at their attitudes about sexuality and the sources of those attitudes.
Gestalt workshop: Sexuality in the therapist’s office – Workshop objectives:
- Getting to know oneself: Participants will have the opportunity to learn more deeply about their beliefs, feelings and values related to sexuality.
- Reflecting on introjects: Identification and analysis of introjects that may influence therapeutic work.
- A critical look at norms: Work on a critical approach to social and cultural norms regarding sexuality.
- Increased competence: Gain the skills needed to support people receiving psychotherapy in the area of sexuality in an open and non-judgmental manner.
Krzysztof Kościółek – about the presenter:
I am a certified supervisor and Gestalt psychotherapist, sexologist, teacher of the profession of psychotherapy, founder of the Spaces Psychotherapy Center. I am certified by the European Association for Gestalt Therapy. I prepare future psychotherapists for the profession at the Lodz Gestalt School and the Gestalt Institute in Krakow. I specialize in working with LGBTQ+/GSRD individuals, both those who have just discovered their identity (sexual, gender, relational or kinetic) and are having difficulty accepting it, as well as those who are experiencing problems in relationships or the sexual sphere.
I work with transgender and non-binary people experiencing rejection from family and friends or facing other problems that require psychotherapy. I take a respectful approach to the free expression of gender, sexual and relational diversity. For me, the therapeutic relationship is a space where individuals (regardless of their: problems, orientation, religion, beliefs, race and color) can count on respect and understanding. Not only for the problems they come with, but especially for themselves as human beings.
Our life, including se_sual life, consists of pleasures, good and strengthening relationships and injuries, disappointments, not necessarily being our conscious choice. The attempt to escape from unpleasant experiences and emotions most often ends up in an attempt to create a project of happiness, or pleasure, in denial to past injuries and pain. Often such a project is doomed to failure. How to combine these two seemingly mutually exclusive worlds of pleasure and hurt? How do we accompany and support the people who use our offices? We will seek answers to this question during the two days of the workshop together. The class will give you an opportunity to update your knowledge of sexuality, both your own and that of those receiving therapy. Addressing this topic is also important because of the dynamic changes that are taking place in the area of knowledge about human sexuality that we currently have and the need to “keep up” with the rapidly changing needs of people receiving psychotherapy, which are due to the increasing awareness of these people and their increasing readiness to express their gender identity, relationships or their psychosexuality and sexual preferences.